No 'friendly' match for Bafana

Johannesburg - Bafana Bafana will use their international friendly clash against Gabon in an effort to turn things around for the national side, midfielder Lebohang Mokoena said on Wednesday.

South Africa face Gabon in Nelspruit on Friday, desperate for a win after failing to secure a single victory in their last eight official matches.

"There have been ups and downs for the whole team, and now we are trying to get the confidence back to win matches," Mokoena said.

"It's very difficult at the moment but we have to pull together, not only as a team but also as a nation, and positive results will come soon."

The midfielder did not feature in the last two Bafana matches - World Cup qualifying stalemates against Ethiopia and Botswana - but remained confident of turning out against Gabon, with a number of first-choice players having been sent home.

"Being here in the national team is an honour and, should I get an opportunity to play, I will do my best for the country," Mokoena said.

"It is not about Lebohang or individuals that want glory, but we need a collective that will go out there and be ready to deliver good results.

"At the moment there's a lot of negativity out there about the team, but I believe good results will come and we will be able to turn things around."

Mokoena added that the hosts would not treat the match as a friendly but would show their intent and look for a much-needed victory.

"We need to use it to get back to our winning ways," he said.

Meanwhile, forward May Mahlangu was also optimistic about South Africa's chances.

"Every country is improving, and that means we also have to improve if we are to win," Mahlangu said.

"There are no easy teams any more but we have to go out there and fight for a win against Gabon.

"That they are ranked above us should not be an issue. What matters is how we perform on the day.

"Gabon is a very strong side and it' s going to be difficult, but we must just go out there with a positive mind and the win will come."

SAPA

Comments

craigdmn - 2012-06-13 21:19

Our players are not playing as a team but for themself...until they are prepared to die for each other they will never be able to fight for their country on the field of play...

Koos - 2012-06-14 03:44

JuJu was prepared to die for zoomer.

Ian - 2012-06-13 22:01

oh please, you lot couldnt organise a piss up in a brewery, you guys are in it for for the bucks and the babes, even my domestic worker hates you and she loves soccer

william.letsong.5 - 2012-06-13 22:07

They should watch the Euro 2012 and learn something. Dame these Europeans play brilliant football.

Ur uncle Pienaar said the same things, so stop talking and do it on the field if play

Jimmy - 2012-06-13 22:56

You see this is where I have a problem with Bafana. You are busy telling us its not a friendly when we all know that even if you win or if Gabon wins its a game we should not read much into. We have been doing this for years, we play Ivory Coast in a friendly and then suddenly our strikers are 'better' than Drogba. A few weeks later we play Zambia in a competitive match and lose then suddenly we must fire everyone. I would advise players and journalists alike to stop reading too much into these friendly matches. The results are misleading. Friendlies are for assessing fitness, attitude and so on. That there is a result is just a coincidence.

ayanda.marasi - 2012-06-14 07:30

If they could play less friendlies, maybe bafana would know that each game is a do or die.